Free Web NovelChapter 344: Chapter 246: If I Ascend to the High Throne in Years to Come, It Will Be My Turn to Play
The setting sun cast its last rays, and the evening clouds painted the water, leaving half the river bleak and the other half crimson.
True Monarch Lu listened quietly to the ferryman’s words, remaining silent.
The surging river currents rocked the black-canopied boat. In the glittering light shattered by the wooden oars, both large and small fish vied for space.
"Sect Leader, time waits for no one. The Innate Sect has only this one Daoist.
If we were to appoint another, how could we ever catch up to Zhang Yuansheng, who has already secured his position?"
The ferryman chuckled and said:
"Rest assured, Junior Sister. The Daoist has caused the Taifu Sect a great loss of face and pleased the Ancestral Master. How could I dare trade him away?"
True Monarch Lu was half-convinced. Her Sect Leader Senior Brother had always been a man of profound thoughts, fond of making unorthodox moves that left his opponents unable to decipher his strategy.
Jukuzhou would not have been opened at such a critical juncture, but it was Qin Baiyu who proposed it on behalf of the Innate Sect.
"Gen Feng, on the other hand, has prepared a backup plan."
The ferryman said meaningfully:
"True Monarch Luo’s demotion of Gu Changling wasn’t just because he defied his superiors. The key is that he has found Ning Hechu’s reincarnated body."
True Monarch Lu’s expression changed slightly. Though Qin Baiyu’s avatar spoke of it lightly, this news was heavy enough to shake the Eight Peaks Grotto-Heaven to its core.
The ferryman added:
"Luo Tiansu was Ning Hechu’s scripture tutor. From start to finish, he has only ever favored Daoist Hechu, and has never changed his mind."
True Monarch Lu was exceptionally sharp and understood immediately with this little hint:
"True Monarch Luo never intended to promote Gu Changling at all... I see. The Great Society Treasure Jun True Skill he painstakingly derived and revised wasn’t to help Gu Changling ascend, but to scout the path for Daoist Hechu."
The ferryman nodded.
"That is why Luo Tiansu ordered Gu Changling to challenge Daoist Jiang, showing no hesitation in sacrificing this True Inheritance of Gen Feng."
True Monarch Lu’s feelings were complicated. Daoist Jiang had just painstakingly established his prestige in the Innate Sect. If Gen Feng were to present Daoist Hechu, she feared chaos would erupt once more.
"What are your thoughts, Sect Leader Senior Brother? There cannot be two suns in the sky, nor can a sect have two Daoists."
"Junior Sister, you should understand. The climb in the Demon Dao is about one’s own struggle to become a useful tool for an Upper Cultivator."
The ferryman said slowly:
"Daoist Hechu also struggled through great perils to rise. Naturally, Daoist Jiang can be no exception.
The Opportunity in Jukuzhou has been placed in his hands. Whether he can grasp it will depend on his ability and the will of heaven."
True Monarch Lu said no more. Such was the way of the Demon Dao; whether in the Ancestral Sect or the Inner Sect, everything depended on strife and seizure.
If one proved useless, they would sooner or later be cast aside like a pawn.
"You needn’t worry, Junior Sister. I can see that Daoist Jiang’s fortune is flourishing. If he can pass through Jukuzhou, even with some scares but no real harm, he will certainly achieve Foundation Establishment and Dao Entry."
The ferryman smiled.
"Great rewards are prized, and breaking norms is extraordinary. Purity leads to isolation, and weakness necessitates struggle.
In my view, this is where Daoist Jiang is stronger than Daoist Hechu. He doesn’t prioritize his personal feelings and understands the power of ’benefit’."
Hearing this, True Monarch Lu was inexplicably reminded of the first Shao Yang. Her Dao heart swayed gently, like a boat drifting on the river’s surface.
’I hope the Daoist emerges unscathed this time. If the primordial radiance of the Shao Yang rises again, it can seize the mighty glow of the Tai Yang...’
...
...
Meanwhile, after receiving his instructions from True Monarch Lu, Jiang Yi was transported out of Kan Water Palace.
He stood in the empty hall, his eyelids lowered slightly.
’Compete for a Talisman Decree at the Hongshui Dharma Assembly, and then have the Eight Sects open Jukuzhou together.
All this commotion, just to pave my path to Foundation Establishment?’
According to True Monarch Lu, this opening of Jukuzhou wouldn’t just gather the Dao Materials from the Eight Sects; even Immortal Cultivators from the Dongsheng Continent would come to join the fray.
At this thought, a familiar feeling washed over Jiang Yi. It was as if he were back at Fengdu on Beimang Ridge.
A corner of his mouth twitched, as if in a smile.
’A Lower Cultivator is truly always caught in the game.’
After being unwittingly drawn into the game at Hanyang Prefecture and weathering the twists and turns at Fengdu, Jiang Yi had gradually grown used to it.
Being a pawn... the first time is unfamiliar, the second is routine.
’There will come a day when I am the one playing the pieces!’
Jiang Yi solidified this resolve, then strode out of Kan Water Palace and headed to the peak where Qu Liu’er resided for some tea and idle chat.
The Hongshui Dharma Assembly had concluded. Among the True Inheritance disciples of the Eight Peaks Grotto-Heaven, most could be befriended, aside from a few stubborn individuals from hostile factions.
’Forming cliques and building factions... now that’s my real specialty.’
About half a day passed in a flash.
By the time Jiang Yi returned to the Changming Heavenly Pool, the vast twilight had swept across the land.
A Profound Light streaked across the sky, like a splendid stream of sunset clouds spanning the mountains and rivers, and in the blink of an eye, it landed before the main hall.
The brilliant radiance suddenly retracted, revealing a handsome youth with a serene brow.
’Gu Changling has been demoted, stripped of his True Inheritance position...’
Jiang Yi clasped his hands behind his back, his mind adrift with thoughts:
’It’s still not quite enough. To make a True Monarch prospect work for me, I need to offer something substantial.’
With the Celestial Book in his possession, it truly wasn’t difficult to cater to their desires.
However, "Foundation Establishment" was the current priority.
For a Qi Cultivation Junior Cultivator to divine the cause and effect of Foundation Establishment was a strenuous task, even with Spiritual Objects to burn.
’My Talisman Decree lets me bring two others. One master, two attendants.’
After a moment’s thought, Jiang Yi had the formation spirit, Chang Jing, summon Miss Xiaoqiao.
A moment later, a rainbow of sword light flew over and stopped steadily beside him.
"Is Jukuzhou about to open?"
A ball of golden qi suddenly dissipated, and a figure in a green dress appeared, looking quite lovely. It truly brought to mind the saying, "A beauty like jade, a sword like a rainbow."
Jiang Yi smiled and replied:
"Indeed. I’ll have to trouble Miss Xiaoqiao to accompany me on this trip."
Xiaoqiao seemed unable to wait, grinning as she said:
"I hear the Jukuzhou controlled by the Eight Sects was a gathering place for the ancient Demon Dao. Perfect for nurturing my sword on them."
Hearing this, Jiang Yi couldn’t help but complain internally. ’Leave it to a Sword Cultivator to frame ’cutting people down’ as ’nurturing a sword’.’
His eyes flickered as he secretly pondered:
